• We’re Hiring! Jordan is moving back to Utah (to pursue a relationship–we’re cheering for them but will miss Jordan terribly!) and we’re looking for a new in-house Visual Media Producer. (Videographer/Photographer + An eye for graphic design is helpful for this too!) This is a full-time, in house, salaried position. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, check out the job posting here and apply!
• I know we’ve been all over when it comes to exterior directions over the past month, but this week inspiration from Architect, Jeffrey Dungan, hit hard. And we decided we can’t not do dark exterior + dark cedar siding + stone. And black windows inside and out (basically a take on our number 3 from this post where we photoshopped a bunch of exteriors!)
When I saw it, it felt like a lightbulb going off. It felt like this home. It felt like a cottage, but like our version of it. Of course this is an inspiration photo and not exactly our home, and we’ll make tweaks to suit us, but we’re excited to move forward with this inspiration as our guide.
• We had a really good question come in through the comments section of this post about committing to purchasing a piece furniture. When to stop looking and commit already:
Q: How do you commit and move forward? We bought a big house that needs a lot of furnishing, but I am stuck!! I make a mood board and love it, but then cannot commit, because I find something else I love! And, how do you keep it cohesive without being matchy? Are there things you commit to and you stick with it throughout the process?
Here are my thoughts on the subject:
A: Here’s what I’ve learned. If you like something and you can visualize it with other pieces in the space (a mood board really works well for this)–commit! There is not just one perfect piece of furniture out there. You’re going to like a lot. And that will only confuse you more. If it fits in your budget and you like the way it looks and it looks good with other pieces for the space–what more could you want?
• This illustrator is such a fun follow.
• Yesterday marked one month in our house and it was so fun to host a bunch of family and friends for the 4th of July. We did it without a speck of new paint or barely any furniture inside and it was our favorite fourth yet. We did buy some new outdoor furniture and I’m obsessed with it! (We bought two of these chairs and this sofa and I just went back for a second because there’s plenty of room for it and it’s all on sale right now! They are so comfortable!) It’s amazing what a holiday in a new home will do. It solidified it as ours. We made so many memories and were able to carry on traditions (our 5th fourth of July with the Pugmires with the best driveway fireworks show) and we went to bed so, so happy. It was the first night we slept like it was our home.
• This corn hole game was such a crowd pleaser yesterday! And I love the simple design of it!
• We launched a new Propertee just in time to declare your summer plans. STAYCATION is now available in a heathered mint tee, flowy muscle tank and soft white sweatshirt here!
Lastly! Here are some amazing sales happening this weekend!
Allmodern: Up to 65% off + extra 25% off clearance with code MAKEWAVES
American Eagle: 20% off everything
Anthropologie: Take an extra 50% off sale (discount in cart)
Carter’s: Extra 40% off clearance
J.Crew: Extra 50% off sales with code BIGGEST
J.Crew Factory: 50-70% off everything
Madewell: 25% off summer must-haves with code FIREWORK
McGee & Co: 20% off lighting & everything ships free with code FIREWORK
Rejuvenation: Save 25% on lighting & more + free shipping with code FREESHIP
Serena & Lily: 20% off everything with code GOCOASTAL
Urban Outfitters: Take an extra 40% off sale (discount shown in cart)
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
SHop all
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop.
Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]
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I breathed a genuine sigh of relief when I read this. Number 3 is true to your style, and I don’t mean that in a predictable way. Your style is different, beautiful, and breathtaking, yet relatable. The other options felt too safe, easy, and predictable compared to what I’ve come to love from CLJ!
Love where the exterior is going!! I voted for 3 but preferred black windows & soffits/fascia like the #3 inspo pic. Can’t wait to watch the transformation process!
What outdoor umbrella did you buy? We are having trouble deciding on something and want it to be sturdy
Ours is from World Market
I’m so so glad to you see that you are going dark! It feels so true to you guys and I was feeling confused and bummed when number 3 didn’t seem to be in your top favorites! It’s going to be so stunning <3
Have you ever seen the Forest Modern house from thehouseofsilverlining.com It is very similar to the dark Gary and rock house you linked here. Dark gray with rock. It is gorgeous.
The inspiration photo is so good. This is your style. All the other mockups just weren’t right (pretty but not a good fit), but this I can get behind.
I love that you’re going dark – it’s a nod to the cabin in a way.
Hi Julia! Is there a certain app or program you would recommend to use for a mood board? Thanks!
I use Photoshop myself!
I’m not sure how computer savvy you are, so forgive me if this is offensive (!), but I don’t have Photoshop and have used PowerPoint to create some quick and dirty mood boards as most computers have that on it!
We had a 1930 brick Tudor Revival and we painted our trim the darkest charcoal gray we could find and we loved it. This was way before pinterest so we drove around old neighborhoods checking out all the Tudors we could find. Never found anything exactly like what I wanted so we went for it. And it still looks good decades later.
So wonderful to hear!
Wow! I love the color but my first thought was calcium water dirt spots that require a lot of maintenance. Glad you didn’t find that a problem.
We’re starting the first phase of painting our exterior black!! (well deep charcoal and black) We have a 1908 Tudor revival but think this fresh trend will keep the home classic but current. Looking forward to your interpretation!
Yay!! That’s the one I voted for! Can’t wait to see the transformation!
I’m so so so glad you are going dark, which I consider staying with your style! I hadn’t finished copying all your inspiring work in my own home yet! And still have the exterior to paint!
Gorgeous inspiration! Would you mind sharing the source of your cantilever umbrella?
It’s from World Market!
Oh my that is so exciting about the architect. I clicked over to his page and the first picture that came up seemed like totally your vibe. Heart eyes!! Can’t wait to see what you do.
He’s my favorite new follow. Really inspiring and right in line with what I love.
Hello! Where is your patio umbrella from, and are you happy with it? We are looking to purchase one that style and are seeing reviews that are all over the place!
It’s from World Market! We are happy with it!
Awwww yeah! I voted no. 3 and just couldn’t see y’all in most of the other options. I also know that mock up won’t be exactly what y’all do so I can’t wait to see how the exterior develops. Super pumped! I love everything CLJ does! Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend!
I just bought the same outdoor sofa and chairs too! They won’t be delivered for another couple of weeks but I was so happy to see your glowing review. And LOVE your inspiration for the exterior of your home. Can’t wait to see the progress!
Yassssss! I totally voted for the black. It’s going to look great! We have a red two story house and I would love to do black windows and trim on the outside, but it’s not in our budget.
I’m so excited to see your inspiration photo – it definitely seems like a better fit for your family than any of the options that were on the prior poll. Hands down, if one based on that picture was in the poll I would have voted for it as well! :) Curious – would the plan be to leave stone as is, or to redo so that the two different types are replaced with a new one?